The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority won two orchids during the 2013 Orchids & Onions Awards Ceremony on Oct. 4 for the public art and interior architecture of The Green Build — the recent Terminal 2 West expansion at San Diego International Airport. The annual event is held by the San Diego Architectural Foundation.

The Orchids & Onions jury called The Green Build “breathtaking from a distance, up close, outside and inside,” and said it “creates a sense of place, provides an awesome aesthetic journey and combines the very best of form and function.”

Airport Authority board chairman Robert Gleason, board members Bruce Boland and Paul Robinson, president/CEO Thella Bowens and art program manager Constance White took to the stage to receive the awards.

“We’re honored by this recognition and proud of the innovative public art integrated throughout The Green Build expansion,” said Gleason. “We share this recognition with the many talented artists who created these works, with the airport’s dedicated art staff and with all airport staff who contribute to the vibrant artistic environment at the airport. I also thank the Airport Authority Board and the Art Advisory Committee for their vision and support of the art program.”

Bowens also commented on the award.

“We share this recognition with all airport staff and construction workers who had a role in the success of The Green Build, as well as with our contractors, Turner/PCL/Flatiron and the project architect, HTNB.”

The Orchids & Onions jury described The Green Build’s interior architecture as “open, airy and light,” adding that “extensive use of glass takes advantage of natural light for energy efficiency.” Regarding the public art in The Green Build, the jury said it “adds a dimension of beauty that elevates the experience.”

For more information about The Green Build, visit bit.ly18BWEHj. More information about art at San Diego International Airport can be viewed at: http://art.san.org.

To see more about the Orchids won by the Airport Authority, with photographs, visit www.orchidsandonions.org/nomination/2013/green-build-san-diego-international-airport